Divorce is a tumultuous process. Compared to other states in the country, Connecticut actually has one of the lowest rates of divorce. In 2014, the state ranked number 37 in the country for divorce, and at that time, 10.6 percent of Connecticut’s population had gone through the process.
Deciding to pursue divorce is a big step. Going through the process hastily can lead to mistakes, and you need to make sure you protect yourself and your assets to the best of your ability. Here are some steps to take before going through with divorce wholeheartedly:
Decide whether you want the house
The biggest asset any couple will own is a house. Naturally, many people want to retain their home after the divorce, but it is important to remain realistic. Many cannot afford house payments independently, and you may want to consider alternative solutions. It is good to plan as early as possible because the house can bring up a lot of issues. Consider giving the house to your spouse, or look into selling the property and splitting the funds between you two.
Make a list of projected expenses
Divorce costs a fair amount of money, and you need to make sure you can afford the necessities until the process is over. You may need to move out of the house and make rent temporary payments. All people considering divorce need to create a budget to make sure that they will be able to purchase food, afford utilities and take care of additional expenses.
Figure out whether mediation will help
There can be a substantial cost differential between pursuing mediation or litigation, at first. Many couples can still manage to go through mediation to determine how to divide assets before stepping foot into a courtroom. Litigation can be costlier and last for years if it is a particularly tumultuous separation. Mediation can be a significant asset and help the whole family, so you need to look into mediators to see if your situation could benefit.